The number of business licenses filed with the Shelby County Clerk’s office increased 2.7 percent to 1,397 in the second quarter of 2012 from 1,360 for the same period last year, according to The Daily News Online, www.memphisdailynews.com.

The number of filings in which the applicant is a Tennessee resident also saw a 4.2 percent increase, with 1,313 permits in Q2 as compared to 1,260 for period from April 1 to June 30 last year.

Proprietors planning to do business in Shelby County can file from any location, and filings by non-residents fell slightly, with the remaining 84 permits issued in Q2 to residents of 23 other states, compared with 100 nonresident filings from 20 other states in Q2 2011.

Hickory Hill North’s ZIP 38115 led the way in Q2 with the most business permits issued, at 76. It was followed by Oakhaven/Parkway Village’s 38118 (69), Whitehaven’s 38116 (66), and the University of Memphis area’s 38111 and Southeast Shelby County’s 38125 (61 apiece).

For the same period last year, 38125 led the way with 68 business permits, followed by the U of M’s 38111 (66), Oakhaven/Parkway Village’s 38118 (58), and Hickory Hill North’s 38115 and Raleigh’s 38128 (57 apiece).

April saw the most in-state Q2 filings for business licenses, with 548, followed by May with 483 and June with 282.

There were 475 corporate charters filed in Q2, about a 12.3 percent increase from Q2 2011, when 423 corporate charters were issued.

The majority of those – 253 – were limited liability companies, a nearly 26 percent increase from 201 LLC filings in Q1 2011.

Business permits were sought for a wide range of businesses, including gas stations; automotive repair shops; cleaning and janitorial services; nail and beauty salons and supply companies; painters; roofers; lawn services; childcare facilities; caterers; clothing stores; computer repair firms; home health care; construction services; staffing agencies; and tax services. Also included were a taxidermist, bridal boutique, smoke shop, prosthetics manufacturer and a company that runs errands.

Among the notable Q2 business permit filings in the quarter were several for new concept eateries, including Aldo’s Pizza, Hog & Hominy and Low Arts Tea Haven.

Downtown’s Aldo’s Pizza occupies the 3,900-square-foot space on the ground floor of Barboro Flats at 100 S. Main St. Restaurateur Aldo Dean – majority partner of BarDog Tavern at 73 Monroe Ave. and part-owner of the Slider Inn at 2117 Peabody Ave. – is one of three partners involved in the New York-style pizzeria.

Hog & Hominy, at 707. W. Brookhaven Circle in East Memphis, combines Italian cooking with Southern roots. It’s the second establishment of business partners Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman of Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen, 712 W. Brookhaven Circle.

Low Arts Tea Haven, 4630 Merchants Park Circle, focuses on serving tea in a casual atmosphere, and will also offer wine and beer flights and host jazz brunches and other events.

Permits in Q2 were also filed for a third Las Delicias restaurant at 5689 Quince Road and a second Memphis area Five Guys Burgers and Fries location at Bartlett’s Stage Centre, 6600 Stage Road, suite 137.

High Cotton Brewing Co. also filed for a business permit in Q2. The microbrewery, which is expected to open on Monroe Avenue in Memphis’ Edge District in September, will join Boscos and Ghost River Brewing in bringing locally crafted beers to the Memphis market.

High Cotton’s goal is to produce small quantities of well-crafted beer that will be distributed only to local bars and restaurants. The five partners involved told The Daily News that they also hope to open a taproom.

Also in Q2, Mike’s Hard Lemonade Co.& American Vintage Beverage filed for a business permit for 5151 East Raines Road.